Cutting off electronic tethers, etc.

[surgtech1956]

Hello, my name is Nancy, and I'm addicted to electronics. I love anything electronic, the newest gizmo that comes on the market. I don't buy everything, but I do read up on it.

[tulip]

Still no TV since it went digital and I did not. I did discover hulu.com and can watch useless shows like Kitchen Nightmares and House while I iron once a week. That seems to be enough for me.

[Reesha]

In 2005 I live without electronics for about a year in Becket, MA while working for a program called Nature's Classroom. It was bliss! Perhaps one of the happiest years in my life.

One of the things that made it possible was living in a staff house with other young and usually interesting people. I learned to play guitar, took up painting again, swam under the stars, snowshoed, mountain biked, hiked hiked hiked. We had a conventional phone in the house to communicate with our family and friends because there was no cell service. We would sit around campfires and drink beer, played random yard games like Stump (sometimes as a drinking game but usually not) and Kubb. We ran around the woods with children all day teaching the things we were most passionate about. We played games, sang songs to fifth and sixth graders every night. Sometimes I really miss the simplicity of it all!

I especially enjoyed being without the internet-- actually a shocking amount! At least I know I can go without when need be!

[Zen]

"The seasoned veteran may choose to light the stump on fire before play. A crowd favorite."
Stump sounds like what you end up with at the end of your arm with this game

[Reesha]

Yeah, fortunately I've never seen any accidents. Those who play are usually pretty cautious. The flip of the hammer is more controlled than it sounds and those not presently "hitting" usually stand back.

I can picture a bunch of inebriated college boys lighting the log on fire though!

[bmccasland]

Seems the opposite thing to do. Because of being a club president, and the certain actions of one of the well meaning members, done in the name of the club, I had to very quickly come up to speed (or at least get introduced to) the social networking forums. This took a long distance phone call to my 16 yr old nephew to talk me through it! The lad did very well, telling me what to skip over to get registered, and once I had a home page, what would be on it.

I still have the club issues to deal with at our meeting tuesday, and I don't know how much time I'll spend on FB but I'm there.
I want to
turn
the
computer
OFF.

(except for time on TE of course!)

[OakLeaf]

Hee, hee, I survived three and a half hours this morning, and here someone's revived this thread when I log back in.

I woke up to find that a raccoon had gotten into my electric transformer overnight. Luckily there was enough water in the thermos from yesterday that I could fix myself a cup of tea - once I found a match to light the stove.

I did have to boot up my computer to find the details for the appointment I have this morning. I hadn't transferred the exact directions onto my iPod.

Other than that, I amused myself by reading until the electric company guy came. I'm lucky to be on a co-op so their repair crews are super responsive. I feel ever so much better now that I've had a shower. Flushing the toilets is nice, too.

[Zen]

I recently received an offer ot be part of an electric co-op but they could only guarantee rates for 2 years. I don't know how much of a difference there was in KW hours but there were four of us discussing it and I left it to the others (all pretty well versed in these things) and ended up dismissing the offer.

[Crankin]

Reesha, you worked at Nature's classroom? I have been 4 times: once in Groton, once in Charlton, and twice in Connecticut (it was very near the MA border). It was fun, but probably more fun for the counselors than the teachers, who had to sleep in the same dorms as the kids...

[Reesha]

Haha, yeah it was always a blast. We'd get paid a loooot of money to sleep in with the kids though, so it was always attractive if the need arose.

Was the site in CT Colebrook? That's a massive site! I worked at Charlton for a month in January. My favorite site was always Silver Lake on Lake George in NY. It was paradise-- and they have the coolest haunted buildings.

[deeaimond]

shootingstar,

i think i will die without being connected somehow. I don't need to be actually talking or communicating to anyone, but I have to be connected. I often brush off offers to go out so that i can stay home with a book but without the internet and a working cellphone connection I can't sleep at night. I'm a product of my times definitely... (with no internet i'll probably sleep more)

going to shut off this computer and go to sleep so that i can start my 'wake-up at-5-am-and-ride-fo-an-hour-to-start-my-day' tmw! (wish me determination)
DEe

[Crankin]

Yes, it was Colebrook. In December. Brrrr

[MartianDestiny]

I can go backpacking and not miss technology in the least (for at least a week, could probably go longer).

If I'm in civilization though I want my Mac and my internet at the least and see no reason to go without them.

[shootingstar]

My partner and I make jokes we should get cellphones...maybe every 2 months or so, when a situation comes up that having it would be nice.

But none, so far have precipitated into an emergency at all. And emergency to us is life/health situation, not where we are going to meet after he or I finish an appointment/meeting. I guess we just operate at a slower pace and hope the other person made the right purchasing choice in the shopping aisle. And usually the person does.

[grey]

I wish I could lose my cell phone. I have no interest in TV, I catch what i want on hulu.com or rent it. However... I need my computers for work.

If I didn't... I'd like to think I would not miss my glowing monitors... but the reality is, I love looking up stuff online instead of in a book when I'm in a hurry.